Need for Information

The overall recurring theme of the book is the need for information. This need becomes known in the years before World War II when Stephenson is doing business in Germany and other places in the world. He is learning about the scientific, technological and weapons advances of the Germans as a normal part of his business. Since there is no entity in existence for the collection of this kind of information, his London office becomes the center for the information flow. After Churchill assumes the position of Prime Minister, he appoints Stephenson as the head of His Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service, an entity with no official name.

Since England is moving closer to war, Stephenson decides to locate the intelligence service, known as the BSC or British Security Coordination, in New York, where it wouldn't be endangered by a Nazi invasion. As the war began, the...